Distinct variety of streptocarpus named Snow Bunting

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Streptocarpus×hybridus plant is characterized by its unique pure white ruffled petals and dark green glossy foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of CapePrimrose (Streptocarpus×hybridus Voss.) known by the name of SnowBunting. This selection was developed for the commercial greenhouseindustry as a flowering potted plant. Snow Bunting exhibits compact,vigorous growth, improved heat tolerance, and abundant flower productionunder progressive commercial practices. The flower color, shape andpattern offers a novel combination not previously available.

In 1978 an ideotype breeding program was initiated to improve thecharacteristics of Cape Primroses for commercial production. WeismoorHybrids, J. Innes Hybrids, "Constant Nymph" Series, Oglevee's BavarianBells, and cultivars of unknown origin were intermated usingconventional breeding procedures. F₁ selections were selfed and the bestprogenies used as background parents for the ideotype. Breeding lineswere established in each of the major color classes in the F₃generation. Selection criteria included floriferousness, good foliagequality and symmetrical compact habit. The pedigree of Snow Bunting isas follows: ##STR1##

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by leaf cuttings in theUniversity of Wisconsin Department of Horticulture greenhouses inMadison, Wis., in 1981. It has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive propagations.

This new cultivar was evaluated by a jury of industry specialists andprofessional plant breeders for aesthetic qualities, and screened thoughproduction trials for desireable propagation, production and floweringcharacteristics.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Madison, Wis. has aresponse time of about 11 weeks. This response time is measured from thepotting of plantlets in a five inch pot to the time when the plant hassix flowers. Anthesis was about 9 weeks after potting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new cultivar, the colorbeing as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The botanical description of the new cultivar follows. The data wascollected from asexually propagated plants produced at the University ofWisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture. The plant histories weretaken on 14-week old plants produced in a double-layered polyethylenegreenhouse under natural light. Color readings were taken indoors undercool-white fluorescent light. Color references are those displayed inThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Botanical classification: Gesneriaceae (Family); Streptocarpus×hybridus(Genus×species).

Flower:

Size and shape.--63-67 mm fully expanded, Corolla gamapetalous, 5-lobed,distinctly bilabiate; petal margins undulate and ruffled when flower isfully expanded.

Borne.--Flowers are borne singly or in a branched cymose dichasium inclusters up to 5 flowers.

Color.--Pure white petals.

Reproductive structures.--Ovaries -- 33 mm long and 11/2 mm in diameterStamens -- Arising at the base of the petals and adnate for 25 mm. Freefor approx. 7 mm. The anterior 2 stamens fertile; 2 lateral staminodespresent. Stems -- Approx. 15 cm -- Free of anthocyanin pigments --Scheeles Green (860/3).

Foliage:

Size and shape.--Leaves oblanceolate with ruffled margins and crenateserrations. Approx. 8-9 cm wide and 22-25 cm long.

Color.--Top side (0960) Spinach Green with underside (096013) Green.

Plant:

Habit.--Leaves form a rosette from a crown at the soil line. Height ofmature plant (8 months old) from soil line 18-22 cm. Spread of matureplant 50 cm.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Streptocarpus substantially asherein shown and described.